What do you look for when choosing a new dog?

gengine · Feb 23, 2012

I go and pick up the free puppies in the 'thrifty nickel' papers. I do like the runts, and they have to be mutts. The two purebreds I had were obnoxious. Granted, I didn't have a 'job' to keep them occupied with. My red heeler mix never had to be trained to push cows, he just knew his job, and my border collie mix is great at gently herding everything else, as in the ducks, chickens, and putting the horses in a group. But, those breeds need a lot of activity daily. I like this time of year when they have to run through 3 feet of snow to chase the tractor while I'm feeding.

rekees4300 · Feb 23, 2012

"What do you look for when choosing a new dog?"

Many factors involved but friendliness (toward humans and other animals), personality, intelligence and health are the primary factors. Labs are a good bet but there's no guaranteed just based on breed. Also try to adopt from a shelter. That way you will have the satisfaction of knowing you saved a life.

Tollster · Feb 23, 2012

MOst pupslearn at a very early age in the litter there place in the pack. If you want the alpha or the runt,be sure to spend time with the litter and study their temperment. Then handle each one you like. If you rest them in your arms it will give you a good idea on how they may fit into your home.Many times the alpha will not lay on his back easy when cradled, he will be adament about getting up and most likely challenging to raise for a few years until he learns his place in your home. Runts tend to be more docile and readily relax on their backs, they tend to be more loving,but can be shy if they are not socialized with other people and pets early in their life.
Their are many p i s s poor pet owners out there who look upon pure breds as no more than another source of income.Be sure to meet both parents of the litter,look over the home well, and most importantly be sure both parents are OFA certified before looking at any litters,verify the paperwork is authentic,and call each dog by their name to be sure they are the dogs on the certification. Labs are prone to hip dyplasia,this can lead to long winters, expense,and heartbreak to everyone involved.
We had a lab once who suffered from this,acupunture worked wonders and I litterly saw him regress 4 years or more,eventually cancer consumed him and I was forced to make the hardest decission of my life.Since then I have become very informed and refuse to go there again.
For more information on OFA certsI found the website for you to read over. do your homework before you look around,you will be reward for a long time with a great pet that will truely be happy to have you as his master.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

DOGS RULE, my best friends have always been strays!

JimRB · Feb 23, 2012

We call them Southern Black Dogs. We have three black mutts. One who might be pure lab, the others are mystery breeds. Pound dogs. The young two are a bit unruly which is my fault. The old black lab has always been a sweet people pleaser slightly timid. Their job is to create fur balls all over the house and keep me warm when watching TV. By the way black dogs are the last to be adopted at the pound. We shouldn't have any need for more dog adoptions for 10 years but the pound dogs have worked out better than the pure bred small terriers we have had. Actually the Scotties were fine except for skin allergies. The Cairn was not the smartest dog. Labs are our current favorite breed.

The one Lab mutt I found on the side of the road as a pup would not show her belly for years. She mellowed out in time.

RobertN · Feb 23, 2012

As part of choosing a dog, it is worthwhile to research the breed. A lot of people get in over their head, especially with working type dogs. Working dogs usually have high energy. Even though kept as a pet, they still have work level energy.

Cliff_Johns · Feb 23, 2012

I would contact lab rescue in your area and talk to them. Personally, I like finding a dog that needs a home as much as I need a dog. I like them to be over a year old because by then you know exactly what you're getting. Playing with a puppy and trying to determine what they will be like as an adult is about the same as playing with a 4 week old kid and guessing what they will turn out like after high school.

The nice thing about breed rescue organizations is that usually they keep the dogs in foster homes, so they know the temperment, any medical conditions, any odd psychological tics they might have. Also they know if they are house broken, good with other animals etc.

The only difficulty I see is that there are so many Black Labs killed each year because they are the most popular breed that often the Lab rescue organizations in an area will just give up trying.

Don't think that only bad, dammaged, or weird dogs end up in rescue. That's just not true. They also often have puppies too. Labs are good at hopping fances.

Finally, if you can't deal with a used dog, at least go to a good breeder. I beg you not to buy a dog at a dog store. It just keeps them in business and too many surplus dogs are killed each year as it is.

Cliff

Full disclosure requires me to say that we've fostered over 200 dogs, most were hunting breeds, especially English Setters and Pointers.

sailorman · Feb 23, 2012

I don 't look for a particular breed or to spend a boat load of money . I look for a dog that picks me .

rtimgray · Feb 24, 2012

All of the dogs that we have had in the last 15 years have been free or shelter rescues - I'm not a fan of breeders given that there are so many dogs put to death in shelters, but I respect the rights of folks that want a purebred dog.

I tend to lean to mutt dogs, which all of our current dogs are, although our oldest appears to be mostly Malamute, the youngest appears to be mostly German Shepherd, while the middle one appears to be mostly everything.

To the question about how to keep dogs from killing chickens (and this may be gruesome to some): The only luck that I've had breaking dogs from killing chickens is to take a chicken that they have killed and tie it securing to their neck (around their collar) and then put them in a pen/on a chain until the rotting carcass falls off. My success rate with this has been about 75%, because there have been a few that didn't get the hint.

As an aside, we once had a really large German Shepherd-mongrel mix that killed a juvenile goat (about 20 pounds) and I did the same thing to him. He wore the goat around his neck for about 10 days and after that decided that he would leave goats alone - oddly enough, he never bothered the chickens as all.

Good luck with whatever you do - hope you find what you're looking for.

forgeblast · Feb 24, 2012

Well I have had a few that I can share what I dont want anymore.
1. Shepard, been bit by 4 now. Just dont like the breed.
2. Chow--one owner dog, other then that stubborn and dumb as a box of rocks.
3. Pits--have two pit chow mixes, after seeing them go redline on each other and the vet bills because they tore into each other I wont have one again.
3. Basenji--barkless dog...well sounds like a turkey in fact she has called in gobblers to our yard. She is too smart for her own good, think of a cat in a dogs body. If she can do it and get away with it she will. I love her a lot, but she is not by far the best dog I have ever owned.
4. Best dog I owned was a little rat/fox terrier mix. She is the dog that I will compare all others to. Great dog lived to be 18 before we had to put her down.

Dogs I will be looking at next time include dogs that will listen, protect my little one, and will stay with us when we are in the yard.
I am leaning towards a golden/doodle(cant belive i said that but wife wants one with less sheding), German short/wire hair, doby, or a brittany